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Biased perspective?

Letter to the Editor
envelope letter 2

Dear Editor

Thank you for the hard work you put into the News Optimist. I read it weekly, and find it quite helpful to stay up to date with events in our community.

I’ve been interested to see, over the past months, small text boxes scattered throughout the paper encouraging readers to “spot fake news.” This is a good set of skills to develop. Ironically, however, on page 5 of the Jan. 2 edition, I saw the question “is the perspective biased?” right next to Brian Zinchuk’s column. And the non-rhetorical answer is “of course!”

Zinchuk’s writing, while technically well-executed, is definitely biased. He is the editor of Pipeline News, and always provides a very pro-pipeline perspective. It makes me wonder if the News Optimist editorial team assumes that everyone in our community shares that view. There are many of us, from various parts of the political spectrum, who are deeply concerned about climate change, environmental pollution, species loss, and general ecological breakdown. Zinchuk’s views are by no means universal in the Battlefords and surrounding regions. To continue to give him a full and regular column sends the wrong message about our community, and silences other voices and convictions.

So, “is the perspective biased?” Yes, and it’s time for that to stop.

Rev. Shawn Sanford Beck

on the shores of Murray Lake